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American Middle East Policy Reviewed in Senate; Criticism Voiced

August 14, 1957
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Sen. William F. Fulbright, Dem., Arkansas, chairman of the Joint Subcommittee reviewing American foreign policy in the Middle East, criticized the Eisenhower Administration in the Senate today for the collapse of the Aswam Dam negotiations with Egypt.

Sen. Fulbright asserted that Secretary of State Dulles’ withdrawal of the Aswam Dam offer not only increased Soviet influence in Egypt but also has “rendered much more difficult” settlement of the conflict between the Arab states and Israel. Without such settlement, he continued, “no peaceful economic and political progress in the Middle East is possible.” The Senator based his sharp attack on Mr. Dulles on an intensive study of the history of the Aswam Dam negotiations as provided by the State Department.

The State Department today termed a Damascus radio report alleging United States plots to overthrow the Syrian Government “a complete fabrication.” The Syrian charges included a claim that the United States had indicated readiness to pay Syria more than $300, 000, 000 in aid if Damascus replaced the government of President Shukri Kuwatly and made peace with Israel. A State Department spokesman said the Syrian ambassador in Washington would be called in today to be told “what we think about this.”

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